After (Sequel to Of Monsters and Men)

life, now

If anyone had ever told me when I was fifteen that I'd be married to my first real friend and we'd have a daughter of our own, I would have never believed them. With everything going on around me, it just didn't seem possible, but life really has a way of being unexpected doesn't it?

It's been seven years since Otabek and I have been married, and our daughter Anja is now seven too. We'd adopted her from the Philippines two years ago, the moment I saw her and she hugged me even though she didn't even know who I was, I immediately knew I was in love with her. 

Watching Otabek eat breakfast with her every morning and helping to get her ready for school as she yawns tiredly, just that sight alone, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love them both so much, and I don't know who or where I'd be without them. 

I didn't think this was possible, but each and every day that I'm with Otabek I fall deeper and deeper in love with him. It seems like every moment we're together it's just better and more intimate. The way he touches me, kisses me, it's like a new experience every day. When he walks into the room, my heart skips a beat, when he smiles I blush. It doesn't matter what he does, everything about him is perfect. 

I lie with him tonight in our room, all of the lights are out, it's quiet except for the sound of our breaths and the loud traffic outside. I can't see Otabek, but I feel his mouth against mine, kissing me softly. 

The kiss gradually gets deeper, and I lose myself in deep euphoria. He takes his shirt off and our skin touches, sending sparks throughout my body. I bite down on my lip as he kisses my neck, biting the skin. 

"Daddy?" A small voice sounds from our doorway. 

Otabek scrambles off of me and I sit up quickly. 

"Anja?" He turns on the lamp by our bedside. 

"I had a bad dream." She whispers, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Aw, c'mere baby." Otabek opens his arms and she trudges over to him slowly. He pulls her up onto his lap. 

I stroke her hair softly. "What was it about?"

"There was a monster chasing me, it looked kind of like how daddy does when he first wakes up in the morning." She pouts. 

Otabek and I glance at each other. "Which one of us? Cat or bear?" 

"Bear." 

I burst out laughing. Otabek blushes. "Am I really that scary looking first thing in the morning?" 

"Not really, you're just grumpy and kind of loud sometimes when you're still tired." I lean my head on his shoulder. 

He pouts just like Anja. "I find that offending." 

"Would you like to sleep in here with us tonight?" I ask her then. 

"Yes." She yawns. 

Otabek puts how down carefully into the bed and tucks the blanket up to her chin. We sit watching her for a while as she slowly drifts off to sleep. 

"She's so beautiful." I whisper. 

"Just like you." He smiles. 

 I blush as usual. 

"If Anja wasn't in between us right now, I'd be attacking you with kisses by the way." 

I lean over her and kiss him in return. "We can resume tomorrow night, how about that?" 

He grins. "Can't wait." 

I smirk and lie down facing him. He lies down as well, stretching his hand out towards me. I take it slowly, rubbing his knuckles softly. 

"Good night."